Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi SLR Review

By
Movable Type Admin

Full review posted 11/28/2006

Click on the Rebel XTi for a QuickTime VR tour

(Note: The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi and EOS 400D are the same)

The 6-megapixel Canon EOS Digital Rebel came on
the scene in late 2003 and instantly established a new category of "affordable digital SLR
cameras" with a price of under $1000, including a zoom lens. It was succeeded in 2005
by the 8-megapixel Digital Rebel XT, which offered
improved image quality, shooting performance and flexibility in addition to its
higher resolution.

The third generation Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi SLR takes everything found in its predecessors
and improves the resolution to 10.1-megapixels, provides a more responsive 9-point AF system, adds
a large 2 1/2-inch LCD monitor, and incorporates the Picture Style image processing controls
first introduced on the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and 5D. It also solves one of the gotcha's
of digital SLR's, dust on the image sensor, with the EOS Integrated Cleaning System featuring
a self cleaning sensor. This easy to use
digital SLR is compatible with all Canon EF lenses including the EF-S lenses and still
retains the sub-$1,000 price point for entry-level digital SLR consumers.

Many of the feature advancements and innovations on the EOS Digital Rebel XTi digital
camera are inherited from its EOS 30D "prosumer
big brother."
But the XTi offers greater resolution (10.1 versus 8-megapixels), greater burst shooting capacity
(27 versus 23 frames) and a self-cleaning image sensor,
leaving us waiting for the other shoe to drop in the form of a 10-megapixel successor to the 30D.
Other differences between the two cameras favor the 30D, including faster continuous shooting (5
frames-per-second (fps) vs. 3 fps),
more custom settings (18 vs. 11), a 3200 ISO sensitivity setting and a rugged magnesium body.
The Rebel XTi was
created for those migrating to digital that don't want to lose the power or
flexibility of a SLR system, but can't justify the higher price of the Canon's prosumer EOS models.

The Digital Rebel XTi may be an "entry-level" camera but it's quite the performer thanks to
the powerful DIGIC II image processor it shares with the Rebel XT and 30D, providing
high-precision and high speed, natural color reproduction including high-saturation,
bright subjects, improved auto white balance, along with increased white balance
correction control and white balance bracketing. In addition to image quality
improvements, DIGIC II speeds up the camera's start up time to an amazing 0.2 seconds -
ten times faster than the Digital Rebel.
And capturing the action is no problem with the ability to shoot up to 27
consecutive Large/Fine (10.1 megapixel) JPEGs, 10 RAW files, or 8 RAW + Large/Fine
JPEGs at a rate of up to three frames-per-second.

The newest feature found on the Digital Rebel XTi is the remarkable EOS Integrated Cleaning System,
a self-cleaning image sensor unit/dust removal system that Canon claims is available on no other
camera of any make, at any price. Another first among Canon dSLR's is the
Display-off sensor, which automatically turns-off the LCD monitor when the camera is
raised up to the user's eye. This feature saves battery life and avoids
distracting screen brightness when looking through the viewfinder.

Utilizing the same 9-point autofocus system as the 30D, the Digital Rebel XTi
is capable of analyzing where a subject is -- even when it is off center - and almost
immediately bringing it into focus. It can also analyze subject movement and
automatically select locking or tracking AF modes as needed. These features simplify the
camera's operation and optimize its performance. The Digital Rebel XTi allows users to
select locking or tracking AF modes independently, adding a new dimension of creative
control. The DIGIC II chip increases the speed of autofocus
calculation and hence the responsiveness of the autofocus itself.

A user-friendly enhancements built in to the new Digital Rebel XTi is the 2.5 inch, 230,000 pixel color
TFT LCD monitor with its wide, 160 degree viewing angle.
This new screen features a viewing area that is nearly twice as large as the Rebel XT model's 1.8 -inch
monitor, and offers seven brightness settings for easy viewing of images and menu options in a wide
range of lighting conditions. It is approximately 40% brighter at its maximum setting than
screens found on the top-tier EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS 5D and EOS 30D digital SLRs.
The monitor is also the new home for camera settings information that the Rebel XT displayed on a separate LCD.
This new configuration allows for more information and larger font & icons in one easy-to-view area.

Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.